Tina Lewis Rowe – Ask the Workplace Doctors

A Remote Work Relationship Has Become Awkward.

January 18, 2022January 18, 2022 Tina Lewis Rowe

Question: Unintentionally, I developed feelings for a supervisor, not my direct supervisor but a supervisor that assists me if I need help and even can hold me accountable if required. I work from home and just one day struck up a conversation which continued for months. I had no idea that feelings would develop and was mortified when I realized it.

I remained professional as did he, although he was a bit more forthcoming with mentioning that he missed me. I fully understood because we had great conversations. Now, he’s not communicating with me and when I ask for assistance he never responds; I solely get help from other supervisors.

Should I Sign A Vaccine Exemption Form That Concerns Me?

December 11, 2021December 11, 2021 Tina Lewis Rowe

Question: (See the follow-up communication after the response. ) I am in the process of doing my medical and religious exemption forms which were provided by my employers. The statement at the end of each form is causing me grief, as I do not agree with the way it is phrased and that the process described makes the requirements seem innocuous and benign, which they are not. So, regardless if I refuse to sign or not their policies will be exercised.

How do I refuse to sign, based on my disagreements so they understand that I have valid reasons and is not a willful disregard for their policies?

What Should I Do About the Crush I Have On My Boss?

August 31, 2021September 3, 2021 Tina Lewis Rowe

Question:
I don’t feel this way about anybody else. I tried to be with someone else and no sparks. When I hear my boss’s voice at work I’m in awe! He’s the boss of everyone else. My normal manager is just my manager, but my boss is a leader to everyone. He’s not married, but he does have children and it sounds like he’s a great Dad.

He treats me with respect as I’m sure he has to treat everyone with respect. When I hear his voice it’s like nothing else matters. He probably isn’t even interested in me! I just don’t know how to get over the infatuation!

Doesn’t It Seem Unfair That My Wife Was Fired?

August 30, 2021September 3, 2021 Tina Lewis Rowe

Question:
My wife loves her (former) job and has great rapport with all the nurses and doctors at her location. The employer deals with outpatient procedures and has multiple locations. She trains all new staff and has made several referrals that have all worked out for the company.

But today, she just got fired for spreading rumors. It started more than a year ago when she noticed two doctors she works with being overly friendly and suspected a relationship. Both doctors have spouses. She is very good friends with one of the doctors (Doctor Y) so she asked him directly if there was something ‘there’. The doctor confirmed but then backed walked when he realized how direct he had been, but also followed up that he’d never let it get too far. They discussed this relationship for a while.

What If I Can’t Do A Task I’ve Been Given?

July 23, 2021September 3, 2021 Tina Lewis Rowe

Question:
I feel scared about a new task delegated to me. I don’t know how to do it and I am not sure if I want to do it. But it’s my job and I can’t lose my job. What should I do?

Answer:
An effective supervisor or manager will not delegate a task that an employee has not been trained to do, has not done correctly in the past, or cannot easily learn to do. It may be that your supervisor did not follow that important rule. Or, it may be that even if you do not know exactly how to do the new task, your supervisor thinks you should or could be able to learn to do it easily. Your boss may have more confidence in you than you do!

Was A Long-Ago Event An Assault?

July 1, 2021September 3, 2021 Tina Lewis Rowe

Question:
I have been in my present job thirty-two years. I started my job when I was 18 or 19. There was a coworker who bullied me for over ten years! One time he grabbed me by neck and by my trousers and threw me nearly head first into a van ,where we were loading food. I felt very upset at the time but didn’t show it. The co-worker retired many years ago. Is that classed as an assault?

Answer:
Whatever the reason for your coworker’s actions, it sounds as though he was older than you, which would have made his actions seem even more threatening, since you probably had been on the job less time.

I’ve Been Blackballed And Can’t Get A Job

June 24, 2021September 3, 2021 Tina Lewis Rowe

Question:
I cannot find a job in nursing being an RN. There are many jobs but I cannot get hired in my own city and I can’t get an explanation why. How do I get off the blackball list? What should I do?

Answer:
It sounds as though your situation involves much more than we can help you with in a casual response, so I suggest the following:

1. Talk to someone closer to you who knows you and your situation. You need to be able to talk about the background of your work problems and what has brought you to your current state of feeling black-balled.

Co-Worker Spreading Lies About Me

June 12, 2021September 3, 2021 Tina Lewis Rowe

Question:
I have been at the same job for 20 years. New management took over and said they want to keep me and that they needed me. However, we have a young girl who started with them and obviously wants me gone. She talks about me daily turning others against me. Spreading terrible lies.

When they first come in a few months ago I did everything humanly possible to help them make their transition especially since I already knew them and didn’t have a problem with them . My years and experience made this girl jealous and that’s when she started. It has gotten way out of hand. There isn’t a day that goes by that she don’t slander and spread rumors to others.

Coworker Critiques Make Me Cringe

April 29, 2021April 29, 2021 Tina Lewis Rowe

Question: I at times have to work with a coworker who makes me feel uncomfortable in what may seem an odd way. She always calls me out on things I do that my normal shift partner does not comment on or say is actually wrong. She questions some things I do, and I have to say I didn’t feel comfortable doing whatever it was for whatever reason, and I always feel like I do something wrong.

When Can I Assume I’m Unemployed?

April 23, 2021May 28, 2021 Tina Lewis Rowe

Question: My boss is ignoring my emails, calls and text messages. I work a “flex” schedule, meaning I get a new schedule before my current assignment ends. I have been working 72 hours or more every week for about two and a half months, but the current assignment is set to end in less than a week and I have not received a new schedule yet, although I’ve asked for one.